Results 13,841-13,860 of 21,588 for speaker:Denis Naughten

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Renewable Energy Generation (24 Oct 2017)

Denis Naughten: My Department is currently developing a new Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) which is being designed to assist Ireland in meeting its renewable energy contribution to EU-wide targets out to 2030. The design of the new scheme has included an extensive independent economic appraisal. This appraisal compared the cost of supporting a range of commercial renewable technologies,...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Brexit Issues (24 Oct 2017)

Denis Naughten: The ongoing Brexit negotiations, including matters relating to the UK's decision to leave the EURATOM Treaty, are being conducted bilaterally between the European Union, represented by the European Commission, and the UK. Ireland contributes to the process through its representation at the European Council Article 50 Working Party which meets regularly to discuss Brexit related issues,...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Post Office Closures (24 Oct 2017)

Denis Naughten: I can confirm that I have not met with the CEO of An Post to discuss recent media reports on post office closures. My officials, however, are in regular contact with An Post management on a strategic plan for the company  which involves reform of the post office network.  However, I am advised that no definitive decision has been made by An Post regarding post office closures.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Schemes Data (25 Oct 2017)

Denis Naughten: I anticipate the 2017 outturn for capital expenditure on energy efficiency schemes will reach €80m. In this year's Budget I have secured approximately €107m in capital funding for energy efficiency schemes in 2018, a 34% increase. This capital increase is complemented by an increased current expenditure allocation that will allow the Sustainable Energy Authority of...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Recycling Policy (25 Oct 2017)

Denis Naughten: The EU Packaging Directive is transposed in Ireland by the European Union (Packaging) Regulations 2014. Article 18 of the Packaging Directive states the following: “Member States shall not impede the placing on the market of their territory of packaging which satisfies the provisions of this Directive”. Therefore, I am not in a position to introduce the type of...

Questions on Promised Legislation (26 Oct 2017)

Denis Naughten: The drafting of the legislation is ongoing in the Department. The Deputy is correct that there may be opportunities to further expand the Digital Hub. This resource has been a massive success and we would like to see replicated in other parts of the country.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Departmental Budgets (26 Oct 2017)

Denis Naughten: In this year's Budget I have secured €107m in capital funding for energy efficiency schemes in 2018, a 34% increase. This capital increase is complemented by an increased current expenditure allocation that will allow the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) to support the expansion of our highly successful energy efficiency schemes bringing the total allocation for energy...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Departmental Expenditure (26 Oct 2017)

Denis Naughten: My Department's 2017 budgetary allocation amounts to €540.3 million, comprising €183.1 million for capital investments and €357.2 million for current spending, spread across six programme areas.The following tables set out details of combined capital and current expenditure to end September 2017, at individual subhead level by programme area. In...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Prices (26 Oct 2017)

Denis Naughten: The overarching energy objective of successive Governments has been to ensure secure and sustainable supplies of competitively priced energy to all consumers. As outlined in the Energy White Paper, Government policy is to ensure that policy choices impacting energy costs are evidence-based with a focus on competitiveness, cost-benefit, security and sustainability.The electricity and...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Broadband Plan Implementation (26 Oct 2017)

Denis Naughten: I propose to take Questions Nos. 232, 233 and 234 together. The Government's National Broadband Plan (NBP) will ensure high speed broadband access (minimum 30 megabits per second) to all premises in Ireland, regardless of location.  The NBP has been a catalyst in encouraging investment by the telecommunications sector so that to date approximately 1.5m or 65% of the 2.3m premises in...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Broadband Plan Implementation (26 Oct 2017)

Denis Naughten: The Government's National Broadband Plan (NBP) will ensure high speed broadband access (minimum 30 megabits per second) to all premises in Ireland, regardless of location.  The NBP has been a catalyst in encouraging investment by the telecommunications sector so that to date approximately 1.5m or 65% of the 2.3m premises in Ireland can get high speed broadband and this footprint is...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Broadband Plan Administration (26 Oct 2017)

Denis Naughten: In April of this year, I published an updated High Speed Broadband Map which is available at www.broadband.gov.ie.  The map shows the areas targeted by commercial operators to provide high speed broadband services and the areas that will be included in the State Intervention Area under the National Broadband Plan (NBP).  The Map is colour coded AMBER for areas to...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Energy Policy (26 Oct 2017)

Denis Naughten: The overarching objective of Government energy policy is to ensure a secure, sustainable supply of competitively priced energy for all consumers. As outlined in the Energy White Paper, it is Government policy to ensure policy choices impacting energy costs are evidence-based with a focus on competitiveness, cost-benefit, security and sustainability. The electricity and gas markets...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Committee of Public Accounts (26 Oct 2017)

Denis Naughten: I have no function in relation to the remit of the Public Accounts Committee. The company referred to by the Deputy is a commercial State body and is not funded by the Exchequer and therefore not subject to the PAC. The PAC has previously contacted me in relation to concerns raised by a Local Authority regarding expenditure by EirGrid and I responded outlining...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: North-South Interconnector (26 Oct 2017)

Denis Naughten: Monaghan County Council raised this matter  earlier in the year with the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) who in turn raised it directly with me. I have informed the PAC that EirGrid is a commercial  State body charged with the implementation of Government energy policy and guarantee a secure supply of electricity via the development of the Irish electricity transmission...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Litter Pollution Legislation (26 Oct 2017)

Denis Naughten: Section 19(7) of the Litter Pollution Act 1997, as amended by the Electoral (Amendment) (No. 2) Act 2009, provides that election posters must be taken down within 7 days of an election taking place.  Prior to each general election, my Department writes to all participating political parties to remind them of their obligations under the Litter Pollution Acts, and...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Mobile Telephony Services (7 Nov 2017)

Denis Naughten: Following the successful completion of a pilot scheme to evaluate its operation in Ireland, I launched Advanced Mobile Location (AML) on 19 October together with the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Deputy Michael Ring. When an emergency call is made to 112 or 999 using an Android mobile phone, a text message with the location information of the caller is...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Waste Management (7 Nov 2017)

Denis Naughten: I propose to take Questions Nos. 963 and 964 together. Waste management planning, including with regard to infrastructure provision, is the responsibility of local authorities under Part II of the Waste Management Act, 1996 (as amended). Under section 60(3) of that Act, I am precluded from exercising any power or control in relation to the performance, in specific cases, by a local...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Postcode System (7 Nov 2017)

Denis Naughten: Capita Business Support Services Ireland, trading as Eircode, was awarded a 10 year contract in December 2013 to develop, implement, maintain and promote the National Postcode System "Eircode". The GeoDirectory database is developed jointly by An Post and Ordnance Survey Ireland. An Post collects information on new and existing buildings, as well as changes to existing addresses...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Renewable Energy Incentives (7 Nov 2017)

Denis Naughten: My  Department is developing a new Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) which will be designed to assist Ireland in meeting its renewable energy contribution to EU-wide targets out to 2030. The design of the new scheme has included an extensive independent economic appraisal. This appraisal compared the cost of supporting a range of commercial renewable technologies, at...